The sense of urgency is intensifying for saving a hub of vocational education in the South Bay from closure, with four state legislators - two from the South Bay - jointly penning a letter expressing their deep concern.

Located on Crenshaw Boulevard near Wilson Park in Torrance, the existence of the 46-year-old Southern California Regional Occupational Center - widely known as SoCal ROC, or SCROC - is in jeopardy because of Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed school-funding overhaul.

SoCal ROC is among just two of its kind in the state. The other, Metropolitan Education District in Santa Clara County, is also in danger of closure.

In the letter, the South Bay legislators, Sen. Ted Lieu and Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, as well as two legislators from Northern California - Sen. Jim Beall and Assemblywoman Nora Campos - said they believe the possible closure of these two regional occupational centers is an unintended consequence of Brown's proposal.

"We respectfully urge you to prevent the inadvertent and complete elimination of funding for this valuable asset to our local communities and the overall state workforce," said the letter, which was addressed to high-ranking education Senate and Assembly committee members. "Whatever the merits of the broader plan to revamp school funding, SCROC and MetroED should not be an accidental casualty of that change. "